Help!!

[wdnwfn]

It's been 21 days now without smoking though I am using the patch. Here's my question: I'm technically still getting nicotine, so why do I feel so lethargic, unfocused and generally blah? How much worse is this going to be tomorrow when I step down to a lower dosage patch? My favorite time of day is going to bed at night when I can at least feel proud for having gotten through another day smoke free. That in itself is pretty pathetic for someone who's always been disgustingly perky, but I'm also sleeping 2 to 3 hours more per night than I ever did before. What's up with that?! I thought I was supposed to have more energy not less!
I'm doing all the things I'm supposed to be doing...eating right, getting an absurd amount of excercise, doing lots of yoga and deep breathing. Nothing seems to help. Everything just seems very grey right now. Is this normal?
I was always a closet smoker. Oh, I knew I wasn't fooling anyone, but I refused to smoke around non-smokers and for the last several years I can't say that I know anyone who smokes. I crave cigarettes when I'm alone...driving, reading, on the phone and worst of all, when I'm working. (I'm an artist) I'm getting close to nothing done work wise and probably losing friends by the day with my short phone conversations.
My husband has been a terrific support and he had to leave on business this morning and won't be back till Tuesday. I don't even miss smoking that much. I just want to feel like myself again!!!! AAGGHHH!

[best]

Just a guess on my part...

Maybe the patch dose is giving you more then what you were getting by smoking. A step down may show you some changes.

What I found when using the patch... I slept more and better then I ever did while smoking. I was getting proper sleep.
Maybe try waking up at the same time every day...even if you don't need to.
If you feel you require more sleep, go to sleep earlier at night.

Sorry I wasn''t much help. Just shared what I think and my own limited experiences.

[historyteach]

wdnwfn;
Smoking often masks depression. It gives off certain chemicals in the brain, that gives us a bit of a lift. When we don't smoke, we don't get that "lift."

Also, we have to accept that we've lost a "friend." That friend was always there for us. They never gave us a hard time and were there for us during good times and bad. We have to grief that loss when we don't smoke anymore. Because it *is* a loss -- albiet a good loss.

It's also wintertime. Seasonal Affective Disorder, (SAD), is a seasonal depression, brought about by lack of sunshine. There is light therapy available. You can also try hard to get outside at least 15 minutes a day. Exercise helps too. But, exercise alone won't make up for the lack of sunshine. Thankfully, we are now on the upswing concerning the sunshine, but, it will still be months before we get the full amount of sunshine again, like in the summer.

Perhaps you should talk to your doctor. S/he can help with medication and/or a reference to a counselor. It can't hurt, and it could help. In the meantime, do try your best to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Doing so will help keep you on an even keel, until this blows over. Or, in the very least, you'll recognize that you need extra support.

I wish you the best. Don't give up the good work you're doing though. No matter what...

Keep the quit and post before you puff!

Shalom!

[cece1960]

wdnwfn,
I could have written that myself.
I think I'm sleeping more because (as Best mentioned) I'm sleeping well. I've increased my excercize also, which may be making me more tired.
I just now felt a lift of the blahhhs (day 15). The only thing I can figure out is that I have nothing to "mark" the ending of segments in my day.
I used to sit and have a smoke after I've finished a task...kind of a reward.
Now I just drudge on to the next thing.
It will take some getting used to, thats for sure.
hang in there.

[stonewolf]

I am new here, and have not yet quit, but am reaching my quit date,
I have quit before and remember that feeling and how discouraging it is.

You have gone through the hardest part and you have prevailed!! yay, maybe your forgetting to CELEBRATE, have yourself a ME party, even if all by yourself. Put up a big piece of art on the wall and let it say "I ROCK"!!!!

good luck and CONGRATS !!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!